Kathleen Denise Hendricks

Kathy D. Hendricks 66, of Indianapolis, passed away on February 4, 2019. If you ask anyone who knew Kathy Hendricks to sum up her life, you will hear three themes rise to the top: Kathy embodied strength, compassion, and living by faith. She was a delightful child with a magnetic personality. Making new friends (and admirers) was effortless for her. With her near-constant smile, it was easy to tell why. Laughter filled the air whenever Kathy was around, and it followed her into adulthood. She always welcomed visitors and preferred a full house with lots of children, music and laughter. One quality that everyone admired about Kathy was her strength and determination. Kathy never settled for mediocrity and would often say, “Work hard at whatever you do in life, and do it right the first time”. She exemplified strength by chasing her dream of becoming a registered nurse, attending the University of Indianapolis full-time while raising five wonderful children and working several part-time jobs. Her three older children were from her marriage with Larry Stinson (15 years), and her two youngest children were from her marriage to Darin (32 years). Kathy was an exemplary caregiver at home and one of the best pediatric nurses Methodist Hospital ever had. As a mother, she noticed when her kids had coughs, aches, and pains, so she did anything it took to address their needs: soup, medicine, hot oils, and plenty of love and prayers to make them well again. She would always consider the needs of others above her own. To have known Kathy is to have known compassion. Her world revolved around ensuring that those close to her, especially those most in need, were happy and well. While working at HealthNet, Kathy noticed the local community in need, so she coordinated a yearly Christmas party for the kids and families. There were hundreds of children that attended every year. She would often spend much of her own money to buy presents for the kids, knowing this would be the only gift that many of them would receive for Christmas. Kathy also volunteered in Cub/Boy Scouts, serving as a Scoutmaster, and was proud of her impact on their lives. She could set up camp faster than most of the male Scoutmasters and even won an award for her tent pitching skills. Her compassion did not stop with humans. Kathy was a lover of dogs, especially her beloved Maltese, Daisy. Her desire to help any and all canines knew no bounds. If she noticed a neighborhood sign or and a note in the newspaper for a lost pet, no matter where the dog was from, she would make time to help search for it. With all the love she demonstrated for others, she still found time to relax and dig her toes into the sand. Sanibel Island was her favorite destination, a beach paradise known by many, but remote enough to provide serenity. She spent many family vacations at her favorite condo, Sanibel Surfside. She would spend hours searching the shell-strewn beaches for the perfect set of angel wings from a sand dollar, inviting family and friends to help along the way. Faith was the core of her life. She opened her heart to Jesus and never stopped striving to live by His example, the deep roots of her faith nurturing her children and community. She led many people to the Lord. In this time of sadness, we can rejoice that she is safely in the arms of our Lord. Now in heaven, Kathy has already spent time visiting with her brothers, Gary and Ricky, as well as her mom and dad. And we know she is spending time fishing with her 16 year old grandson, Seth, who has been waiting on her for over 5 months now. Seth came to her in a dream a few months before her passing and asked her what took her so long to get to heaven. Kathy will be forever missed by all those who loved her so very much. Her loving husband, Darin, who stood by her side in the hospital; her children, who always strived to follow her example in life and make her proud; her loving sister, Barbara, who was like a second mother to her; her nine beautiful grandchildren and two great grandchildren, each of whom loved her so very much. As Kathy left this world to be with Jesus, she was surrounded by her loved ones singing the old hymn “Amazing Grace.” Kathy lived a beautiful life and certainly left this world a better place. The life lessons that she taught each of us - to be kind, to love deeply, and to show strength in sorrow - will be carried out by her children and all those who loved her. Kathy was preceded in death by; brother Gary Klingler, brother Rick Klingler; father Earl Klingler, mother Jean Klingler; grandmother Marie Jenkins; grandson Seth Wynn. Kathy is survived by; husband Darin Hendricks; sister Barb Adkins (Coates); children Scott (Roni) Stinson, Shelly (Shea) Wynn, Trisha (Chris) Donaghey, Chris (Alicia) Hendricks, Tyler (Kristyn) Hendricks; nieces Dee Ann Adkins and Debra Adkins, nephew Doug Adkins; grandchildren Shea Austin Wynn, Seth Wynn (in heaven), Magnolia Donaghey, Mallory Stinson, Christian Stinson, Madison Willoughby, Ana Stinson, Nathan Stinson, Joe Stinson; great-grandchildren Jonathan Collins and Natalie Stinson. “Many people have asked me things, why God allows these tragedies to happen. I don’t know but I do know that God loves and cares for us, and uses the storms of life to strengthen us and draw us nearer to Him. We can’t do it alone and he doesn’t want us to do it alone. He wants our faith to be in Him.“ -Kathy Hendricks A Celebration of Life Gathering will take place on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 11:00am - 12:00pm at The Creek (between Stop 11 Rd. and County Line). Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 12:00pm. www.littleandsonsindianapolis.com